Hello All...
Thanks so much for those of you who took the time to write comments and/or attend the Southeast Board of Fisheries meetings this year. As always, it was a good time to work with the other gear groups and reconnect with old friends. Please be sure to thank anyone you know who attended and did some of the lifting. In addition to our crew, ALFA, SEAFA, SEAS, and USAG were all out in force and deserve our thanks. It takes a lot of time and energy to work these meetings on behalf of our industry!
Some great collaborative efforts took place the last couple of weeks - at least one resulting in a rather historic troll moment, with the reinitiation of 4 lines West of Spencer for handtrollers, after the July chinook fisheries. There will also be a little bump in the allowable spring caps, which we hope will result in a few more hatchery fish being picked up. Finally, the Board of Fish passed the Regional Planning Team industry compromise on hatchery allocation that was struck a couple months ago. Thanks to those who worked to minimize acrimony between fishermen on that thorny topic!
There is still work to be done and some of our priority sport issues will be bumped to further committee discussions and a statewide meeting in 2010. The good news there is that possession limit definition, inspection of guided sportfishing facilities, and annual limits are still being discussed.
In all, the Board of Fish meeting resulted mostly in status quo - a few lost opportunities maybe, but no big loses. Not a bad place to be!
Attached is a quick recap of issues ATA was working on or following. The qualifier is that it's
Thanks, too, for those who supported the ATA raffle, which also took place during the Board of Fish. We gave John Burke of SSRAA the Friend of the Troll Fleet Award, which was a highlight of the event. A lucky gillnetter took home first prize, but our very own Ajax Eggleston is now $1000 bux ahead from his second place winnings. Other prizes will be making their way to the winners over the next few weeks. Tickets for the next raffle will go on sale this summer!
Finally, the ATA Board met during the Board of Fisheries and two board members stepped down after long tenures. The board appointed Casey Mapes (FV Mai Tai) of Yakutat, to fulfill the remainder of Ken Ash's Handtroll term (FV Jettison), and Steve Merritt (FV C'este la Vie) of Craig to the Southern Rural seat previously held by Keith Brady (FV Ilona B). While we will miss Ken and Keith,we are very pleased that Casey and Steve will be working with us!
Be on the lookout for spring port meeting dates. I think the Lower 48 guys are gearing up for one in mid-March. I'll be making the rounds by mid-April at the latest.
Off to the Races...
Dale, ATA
Salty
2009-03-01 16:58:56
Dale,
I thought you and the ATA board were especially effective and gracious this meeting. Also good work having the room down the hall reserved the whole week. Became the gathering place for both seiners and trollers.
Although I think your general impression is correct thanks to a lot of hard work I was disappointed in our efforts to return our historical harvest percentages on the Stikine and Taku now that we have helped rebuild these runs.
I also wonder about the change in direction by the BOF between Tuesday and Thursday. Did higher powers weigh in?
kingquota
2009-03-03 02:18:10
Hello Dale (ATA),
Sort of wondering what has happened to the Yakutat emegency king Salmon Quota open for May and June. Have not heard from anyone about the official Board action. Or the petition sent in. Can you update for me?? Thank You.
Hello...
The Board voted not to take up the Yakutat petition, meaning, no action.
Dale, ATA
kingquota
2009-03-04 08:40:41
Hello Dale,
Thank you for the informational update and the post. So Yakutat will suffer for another FEW years. The shame of it all. :( We are just trying to survive.Thanks again.
Salty
2009-03-04 17:16:14
Well, I am trying to help. I have four friends coming up to fish steelhead in May and recommended Yakutat to my Dr. in Seattle for a king salmon/trout fishing trip with his son.
kingquota
2009-03-07 07:28:27
Hi Salty,
Glad to hear you are coming up to fish those mean trout. Bring lots of gear. As for the kings, just hope your people will catch the large white kings of Yakutat. Those WILL tear up your gear. No commercial tho', thanks to the Board of Fishery. See you then, Give me a call. WAlt
Salty
2009-03-07 19:08:10
Walter,
Really enjoyed watching the Yakutat boys last night even though they lost a thriller to Klawock. Congratulations to your girls. They look like another State champion team according to my sources.
I am not planning to come to Yakutat this spring unless to help with your Local Area Management Plan for halibut.
I don't "sport" fish anymore Walter. I sometimes "subsistence" fish with a rod and reel. I don't begrudge others for sport fishing. For me somewhere along the line all that native elder testimony about respecting the spirits of the creatures offering themselves to us for our sustenance sunk in and I just can't catch and release these great creatures anymore for the rest of my life. I have many friends, a couple of very close personal friends, who love fly fishing and feel catch and release trout fishing is a wonderful and ethical activity, particularly with barbless hooks. I respect them and used to be there.
I did not choose to be where I am now in regards to sport fishing and sometimes greatly yearn for a day on the Situk like my friend Geoff and his wife had last March. Perhaps I will take my camera and float the Situk with some sport fish friends if I am there. I can't imagine casting a line with the intent of catch and release. I can "sport" fish no more forever.
How about you Walter?